The Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Hussein Bashe has called on various institutions in the country including Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) to conduct research and studies that will enable the production of the best and quality agricultural seeds in the country.
Hon. Hussein Bashe (left) accompanied by SUA experts while visiting the Model training farm
The Deputy Minister made that appeal during his short visit to Sokoine University of Agriculture at main campus on 10th October 2019. He noted that seeds varieties which are currently used in the country are 60% to 70% imported from outside country, so the situation poses a serious threat to the agricultural sector which has high contribution to the country's gross domestic product (GDP).
"If we rely on seeds from other countries we may not get the kind of variety we need, because we know the climate of our country," said Hon. Bashe.
Explaining further, Hon. Bashe indicated that agriculture contributes about 30% of the country's GDP while about 70% of Tanzanians are working and employed in the agriculture sector; therefore it is a high time for our local experts to conduct more research and studies especially those aiming to produce high quality seed varieties in order to reduce the cost of importing them from outside country.
Hon. Bashe mentioned how Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) has many specialists in agriculture field, its major role in driving forward the sector and also being a leader in various agricultural researches which is being conducted in the country and its contributions in the country’s economy.
"You cannot speak of Industrialization of Tanzania without mentioning SUA in the sense of professionals, research and producing professionals who are the ones who help make farmers productive."
He called on SUA to collaborate with other institutions under the Ministry of Agriculture including the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institutes (TARI), Agricultural Seed Agency (ASA) and the Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI) to ensure that Tanzanian agriculture is productive and profitable.
During his visit, Hon. Bashe had the opportunity to visit the seed production laboratory located at the African Seed and plant health Centre in Sokoine University of Agriculture main campus. He was very intrigued with the lab's progress and promised to provide the cooperation needed to increase seed production.
On the other hand, the Vice-Chancellor of the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Prof. Raphael Chibunda indicated that despite the fact that SUA has large number of experts and many of its graduates praised in various parts of the country and abroad for their performances, still the university has a major role in bringing agricultural improvement and transformation in the country.
Prof. Chibunda promised to carry out all orders given by Hon. Hussein Bashe and he also made an appeal to all agricultural institutions in the country to support the Government's efforts aiming at improving agriculture sector.
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